In Reply to: Speaking the Language.... posted by BeckyLee on Thursday, 6. August 2009 at 22:40 Bali Time:
Do what regular Bali travellers do go to fixed price shops and save time and hassle. Clothes shopping you can't go past the fixed price shops of Ketut Nurani Near the JL Melasti end of Jl. Sahadewa (Garlic lane) bit hard to find but worth the effort. She has about 3 or 4 shops together and we bought heaps including fake brand name ladies wallets ranging from Rp 35,000 up t0 90,000. Also two other favourites are Rika Shop Jl Dewi Sartika this shop is run by a lovely young family and right next door is Dianne's opposite the Green Garden. Our advice is to go to these three shops when you first arrive and don't waste precious holiday time trying to bargain because they will all look after you and still be better priced than any at the markets. Homeware & gifts shopping at Geneva Jl. Raya Kerobokan No. 100, Kuta was great. We went twice and loved that everything was priced and we could shop till we dropped. Just get a taxi there and grab another as they drive past to get back to your hotel. Great home wears good quality and cheaper than you can get in the markets. We also went to Unagi Jl Teuku Umar Barat/Marlboro No. 383 Dempasar and found it similarly priced as Geneva but didn't like to have to ask the attendant the price of everything. But it did have great home wears so would go again. Declared all items on return through customs and no problems everything got through ok.